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Exactly one year ago, Jason Lezak pulled off a miracle and helped Michael Phelps become an immortal. Oh, how life has changed.

Eric Shanteau has grown more in the past year than any of the other main characters from the engrossing swimming dramas. Swimming through cancer? That can move the needle in a real-world way.

Thank you, Michael Phelps. Your latest "youthful transgression" provided the opportunity to teach my kids that role models are best chosen from those you know well, not those you know through a TV screen.

Forty names, games, countries and minutiae that made news in Beijing. It's the Forde-Meter Dash, Olympic wrap-up style.

When Team USA does beat Spain on Sunday, there won't be much applause for Mike Krzyzewski in Beijing. But he'll deserve it, for taking a greater risk and accepting a lesser reward in coaching the squad.

The two baton flops by the U.S. men's and women's 4x100 relay teams sent the message loud and clear: U.S. track and field has hit rock bottom.

What happens underwater in water polo, stays underwater in water polo. And both U.S. Olympic teams have mastered the art of balancing skill, teamwork, confidence ... and a little mayhem.

Usain Bolt won the 100 meters while goofing around. He won the 200 on Wednesday while running dead serious. And as a result, Beijing got its second real star of the Games.

Usain Bolt is looking really confident, hoping to become the first 100-200 double gold medalist since Carl Lewis in 1984. Is there any way to stop him? The competition might have to revert to an old tactic: getting in his head.

Dreams come true for some at the Olympics. We see their joy often -- at the finish line and on the podium. But for others, like Lolo Jones and Sanya Richards, the dreams shatter in a matter of seconds.

From ESPN.com senior writer Pat Forde:The Great Wall was above and behind us, Beijing below. For the moment, we were in blissful middle ground: plowing through plates of fish, lamb, pork and kung pao chicken, serenaded by cicadas. Our host opened thr...

From ESPN.com senior writer Pat Forde: The Great Wall was above and behind us, Beijing below. For the moment, we were in blissful middle ground: plowing through plates of fish, lamb, pork and kung pao chicken, serenaded by cicadas. Our host opened t...

Blog | Conversation | August 19, 2008

Michael Phelps is done in Beijing. So, now what? Here are 12 things to keep you from a post-Phelpsian meltdown.

From ESPN.com senior writer Pat Forde:We're at Club Bud, an ersatz party palace that has turned into the It place for American athletes in Beijing.Among those in the house Sunday night: Carl Lewis, several gymnasts, boxers, members of the rowing...

From ESPN.com senior writer Pat Forde: We're at Club Bud, an ersatz party palace that has turned into the It place for American athletes in Beijing. Among those in the house Sunday night: Carl Lewis, several gymnasts, boxers, members of the rowing ...

Blog | Conversation | August 17, 2008

Michael Phelps' eight gold-medal swims were all magnificent. But the world needs lists, so we're here to rank his great haul of China from most memorable to least.